Energy + Environment

Below is my column for the Jan/Feb issue of Illuminate, for your consideration. Note that Jan/Feb is my last issue as editor at large. From here on out, I will not be leading the magazine as its editor but instead contributing it to as a staff writer. This was on my request … Death and [...]

According to the latest Department of Energy figures, the U.S. average commercial cost per kWh of electric energy to commercial end-users was 10.51 cents as of September 2009, down 2.4% from the same period in 2008. Overall, net generation in the United States dropped by 3% percent from September 2008 to September 2009. Get the [...]

The Department of Energy’s Annual Energy Outlook 2010 presents updated projections for U.S. energy consumption and production through 2035. Existing policies that stress energy efficiency and alternative fuels, together with higher energy prices, will curb energy consumption growth and shift the energy mix toward renewable fuels. Fossil fuels, however, would still provide about 78% of [...]

In its new brochure, “Lighting Upgrades for Energy Conservation,” manufacturer Lighting Services Inc demonstrates that replacement of luminaires can save energy while maintaining performance. The brochure focuses on replacement of halogen luminaires with ceramic metal halide and LED luminaires. Click here to download the brochure as a PDF file now.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have called on Congress to support expanding the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction from $1.80 per square foot to $3.00 per square foot. A letter to Congressional members was co-signed by more than 50 organizations in the construction and environmental arenas. [...]

Daylighting is going mainstream and daylight harvesting, the energy-saving lighting control strategy that actually makes daylighting “sustainable,” is beginning to catch up. All automatic daylight harvesting control systems need a device that can measure light levels and signal a controller to dim or switch the lights in response to daylight contribution. This device is called [...]

Citing a more “hopeful state of world affairs” in relation to the twin threats posed by nuclear weapons and climate change, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has moved the minute hand of its famous Doomsday Clock one minute away from midnight. It is now 6 minutes to midnight. The decision by the Bulletin of [...]

The California Lighting Technology Center Open House will be held at 633 Peña Drive in Davis, CA from 3PM to 7PM on January 20, 2010 to showcase the organization’s new facility, celebrate six years of operation, and introduce new staff members. Join CLTC for opening comments from its directors, funding partners and UC Davis leadership, [...]

Highlights of Int. No. 973: * Lighting systems in buildings larger than 50,000 gross sq.ft. (or buildings that combined with other buildings on same tax lot in total exceed 100,000 sq.ft.) must be upgraded * Deadline for upgrade is 1/1/2025 * Upgrade defined as meeting minimum requirements of New York City Energy Conservation Code * [...]